Jim McDaid resigns as TD

Riskymove

now on www.rte.ie

Arfan

Want to posit an opinion or something of an actual story in order to bump this up to a legitimate post? Perhaps even a brief summary of who Jim McDaid was.

Sleepy

McDaid's resignation doesn't change anything does it? Just leaves Donegal further unrepresented...

johngalway

I don't like FF, or what McDaid did in the past *coughdrivingcough*. But I found a grudging respect for some of the things he had to say and his stand of losing the whip over the cervical cancer stunt the Govt. pulled.

I don't think this Govt will get as far as actually getting the budget through.

seamus

Jaysus, a bit of content would be good here:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1102/mcdaid.html

Jim McDaid left FF a couple of years back after abstaining on a vote about cervical cancer vaccines.

He's not been with FF, so there's no loss for them there, but it's another bye-election where the opposition's numbers may grow.

Riskymove

He is a former FF TD for Donegal North-East

there are now 4 vacant seats in the Dáil so one more by-election in the works if not a General Election

Lapin

Just heard it on Newstalk.

Jim McDaid for those who have recently arrived from Mars was TD for Donegal North East. Formerly of Fianna Fáil he lost the party whip over his refusal to back the government over their cancer care programme.

His departure now leaves four vacant seats in the Dáil (2 of them in Donegal) and a new headache for the government.

whatawaster

He's been voting with the government though, hasn't he?

Liam Byrne

No loss, given his track record.

He's just desperately trying to cover his ass and regain some much-needed credibility in time for the next election.

Hopefully the people of Donegal will have more cop on, but unfortunately you never know in this country.

bijapos

Liam Byrne wrote: »

He's just desperately trying to cover his ass and regain some much-needed credibility in time for the next election.

Hopefully the people of Donegal will have more cop on, but unfortunately you never know in this country.

Why would he resign his seat and then run again at the next election ? Makes no sense.

I cant see him doing anything but leave national politics for the foreseeable future.

the groutch

Sleepy wrote: »

McDaid's resignation doesn't change anything does it? Just leaves Donegal further unrepresented...

the opposition now only need 81 votes to oppose a bill, previously 81 would be a tie and the have CC passing it

Lenny Lovett

Sleepy wrote: »

McDaid's resignation doesn't change anything does it? Just leaves Donegal further unrepresented...

Yes! It changes a lot and makes the Government's margin extremely tight now. The death knell possibly....

Arfan wrote: »

Want to posit an opinion or something of an actual story in order to bump this up to a legitimate post? Perhaps even a brief summary of who Jim McDaid was.

You think there's people reading/posting here who don't know who he is?:rolleyes: Give us some credit and don't be so patronising...

Liam Byrne wrote: »

No loss, given his track record.

To be fair to him, he's probably just made a huge contribution by resigning. He's shoved them a good few strides closer to the edge of the cliff.

Lapin

Liam Byrne wrote: »

No loss, given his track record.

He's just desperately trying to cover his ass and regain some much-needed credibility in time for the next election.

Hopefully the people of Donegal will have more cop on, but unfortunately you never know in this country.

Why would he be trying to regain credibility in time for an election he won't be standing in ?

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

dicknorris

Why would he resign now ? There was no race meeting on yesterday was there

senordingdong

Lenny Lovett wrote: »

Yes! It changes a lot and makes the Government's margin extremely tight now. The death knell possibly....

That's a good point.

But on the other hand it paints (another) bad picture for the govt.
Their support is falling fast and they don't seem interested in re-gaining any of it.

The current politcal climate doesn't make a lick of sense.

Lapin

dicknorris wrote: »

Why would he resign now ? There was no race meeting on yesterday was there

Was he at The Melbourne Cup? 4 o clock this morning SDT, (Standard Donegal Time).

If he's back already, he'll probably face speeding charges

whatawaster

This is fascinating. The attendance record of TDs at Dail votes in 2009

http://www.herald.ie/multimedia/archive/00568/TD_attendance__data_568048a.pdf

By far the lowest are:

Jim McDaid - 17%
Bertie Ahern - 30%
John O'Donoghue - 44%
Brian Cowen - 48% - as Taoiseach, this is probably understandably low

This an absolute scandal. McDaid should not be resigning. He should have been sacked.

TDs should only be paid based on the % of votes they attend. Obviously Ministerial duties, committee duties or certified leave is a valid excuse.

JonathanAnon

whatawaster wrote: »

By far the lowest are:
Jim McDaid - 17%
Bertie Ahern - 30%
John O'Donoghue - 44%
Brian Cowen - 48% - as Taoiseach, this is probably understandably low

They should have made him Ceann Comhairle, that would have sorted him... Very strange time in the Dáil term to hand in his resignation.. wonder is there more to it..

whatawaster

JonathanAnon wrote: »

They should have made him Ceann Comhairle, that would have sorted him... Very strange time in the Dáil term to hand in his resignation.. wonder is there more to it..

this post is from Politics.ie

"Mc Daid along with all other politicans were at a Save Donegal Health Services meeting last night and he got a roasting from the general public re his support for the Govt and its savage cuts to the Health Service.
He seemed shaken and somewhat shocked and suggested he would not support the govt in the budget."

Could have something to do with the timing

Amhran Nua

johngalway wrote: »

I don't think this Govt will get as far as actually getting the budget through.

Its a very interesting question. If a couple more TDs feel that pushing the budget through will result in them losing their seats, you might see national altruism going out the window and the mighty parish pump rearing its head again, this time against FF's interests. The real question though is will that be better for the country as a whole or worse - will the succession have the willpower to press ahead with what are likely to be quite unpopular cuts? Is there any other option at this stage?

sollar

whatawaster wrote: »

This is fascinating. The attendance record of TDs at Dail votes in 2009

http://www.herald.ie/multimedia/archive/00568/TD_attendance__data_568048a.pdf

By far the lowest are:

Jim McDaid - 17%
This an absolute scandal. McDaid should not be resigning. He should have been sacked.

TDs should only be paid based on the % of votes they attend. Obviously Ministerial duties, committee duties or certified leave is a valid excuse.

I wonder did he claim 17% of his yearly expenses or did he claim the whole whack?

Liam Byrne

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

OK - and thanks; missed that part.

In that case it may actually be the first salvo in the return of power to actual people; if he got such a roasting last night and it caused him to resign, is there any chance that we can get last night's attendees to arrive at every public meeting at which a con-man sorry, government minister is scheduled to appear ?

Imagine if those people had been at Harney's meeting instead of the paint-thrower!

steelcityblues

This is a bit of a cop out! He could have stayed on to vote against the upcoming Budget, and therefore making a real statement!

The by-election will probably be scheduled for 2050!

North_West_Art

whatawaster wrote: »

this post is from Politics.ie

"Mc Daid along with all other politicans were at a Save Donegal Health Services meeting last night and he got a roasting from the general public re his support for the Govt and its savage cuts to the Health Service.
He seemed shaken and somewhat shocked and suggested he would not support the govt in the budget."

Could have something to do with the timing

Jim McDaid refused to back the government on their plan to scrap the cervical cancer vaccine on ethical grounds, becasue he is a practicing and well respected GP. I imagine his decission to quit is based on similar ethical grounds with the government's plans to make huge cuts to dept of health funding. He will probably continue to practice as a GP in Letterkenny and leave politics completely behind now.

senordingdong

He probably has involvment in some sort of scandal that is about to be un-earthed.

hallelujajordan

whatawaster wrote: »

this post is from Politics.ie

"Mc Daid along with all other politicans were at a Save Donegal Health Services meeting last night and he got a roasting from the general public re his support for the Govt and its savage cuts to the Health Service.
He seemed shaken and somewhat shocked and suggested he would not support the govt in the budget."

Could have something to do with the timing

Odd that he is resigning his seat in that case. He would have had twice the impact had he voted with the opposition rather than just give up his vote completely ? ?

I'm sure there is a backstory here somewhere; the timing is very odd

Speak Now

Riskymove wrote: »

He is a former FF TD for Donegal North-East

there are now 4 vacant seats in the Dáil so one more by-election in the works if not a General Election

Is it another by-election or just 2 seats up for grabs if they ever get around to holding one?

Actually maybe it's a parting shot from Mcdaid. By-election will have to be called now in Donegal North-Eat with 2 TD's down.

They'll have to hold the other 2 then as well.

mikemac

Liam Byrne wrote: »

He's just desperately trying to cover his ass and regain some much-needed credibility in time for the next election.

Hopefully the people of Donegal will have more cop on, but unfortunately you never know in this country.

Can't agree

You won't see McDaid in any more elections
He's 61, has a successful GP practice and is finished with public life

There is no devious tactic for the next election here

edit: reading Page 1, you already got replies

Essexboy

senordingdong wrote: »

He probably has involvment in some sort of scandal that is about to be un-earthed.

Hard to imagine a scandal which would damage him in Donegal. Even being found in bed with a dead woman or a live horse would not prevent his re-election up there!

Riskymove

Jerry Seinfeld wrote: »

Is it another by-election or just 2 seats up for grabs if they ever get around to holding one?

Actually maybe it's a parting shot from Mcdaid. By-election will have to be called now in Donegal North-Eat with 2 TD's down.

They'll have to hold the other 2 then as well.

2 different constituencies

Speak Now

Riskymove wrote: »

2 different constituencies

Sound, i mis-read it as the same. Still 2 shy in Donegal is not a great situation.

Riskymove

error.

senordingdong

Essexboy wrote: »

Hard to imagine a scandal which would damage him in Donegal. Even being found in bed with a dead woman or a live horse would not prevent his re-election up there!

Harsh.

Is it not most likely that this seat will now go to Sinn Fein?

Riskymove

. never mind

Lenny Lovett

Jerry Seinfeld wrote: »

Is it another by-election or just 2 seats up for grabs if they ever get around to holding one?

Actually maybe it's a parting shot from Mcdaid. By-election will have to be called now in Donegal North-Eat with 2 TD's down.

They'll have to hold the other 2 then as well.

Riskymove wrote: »

2 different constituencies

Jerry Seinfeld wrote: »

Sound, i mis-read it as the same. Still 2 shy in Donegal is not a great situation.

It's probably part of the master plan to hand Donegal back to the Brits. They only need another couple of TDs to resign and it's sorted...:D

bigwormbundoran

Riskymove wrote: »

yeah but tbh I dont get this 'under-represented' argument, I think its just political spin...some people I know who have that argument are the same people who say we have too many TDs!!

This is irrelevant because it leads to proportional under-representation with the amount of TDs there is now in the dáil for the area, they are hardly going to not want any TDs in their own constituency in order to have less in the dáil overall now are they?

steelcityblues

Lenny Lovett wrote: »

It's probably part of the master plan to hand Donegal back to the Brits. They only need another couple of TDs to resign and it's sorted...:D

Ivan Yates and Michael Ring will be pleased with this development!

Akrasia

McDaid should have stayed and done his job. If he is opposed to the budget, he should vote against it. He is paid to represent the people, he is not paid to be loyal to Fianna Fail.

By him resigning now, he is leaving another empty seat, he is allowing the government the possibility of sneaking through, not just a budget for 1 year, but possibly for the next 4 years. If this budget goes through and they can somehow make it binding for 4 years, then an election in 2011 (or whenever the bi-election is called) will be too late.

Riskymove

bigwormbundoran wrote: »

This is irrelevant because it leads to proportional under-representation with the amount of TDs there is now in the dáil for the area, they are hardly going to not want any TDs in their own constituency in order to have less in the dáil overall now are they?

my point is that both constituencies still have 2 two TDs...why would one more make any difference?

especially as in all cases, I think, there is still representation from the same party as held the seat previously

JoeyJJ

Hopefully this snowball will have an avalache affect however I seriously doubt it will. The best thing to do to get an election would to turn up to Dail more than 17% of the time and vote against the party. Mary O'Rourke has been talking against the party recently (Sam smith 3/4 weeks ago especially) however I don't see her promising to vote against the Government.

Surely if the education fees in regestration increase then the Greens will surely have to rethink staying in Government however the seem adament to stay there while they have the chance.

I still think they will push the Budget through unless someone else moves soon.

ednwireland

Lenny Lovett wrote: »

It's probably part of the master plan to hand Donegal back to the Brits. They only need another couple of TDs to resign and it's sorted...:D

great then we get our as**s kicked by the tory gov.

i wonder if he just got fed up listening to everyone (rightly) giving out and thought stuff this, i could see him doing it

to anyone who thinks donegal having 2 td's down will make any difference to the gov. on by-elections, even the tanaiste doesnt give a flying f**k about what happens up here.

bigwormbundoran

Riskymove wrote: »

my point is that both constituencies still have 2 two TDs...why would one more make any difference?

especially as in all cases, I think, there is still representation from the same party as held the seat previously

Donegal needs every bit of representation it can get its hand on, as it stands it is ridiculously underfunded in nearly all areas so i dont see why it should be running with 4/6 TDs when everywhere else is allowed full representation

As it stands the both are running with 1 blueshirt 1 fianna fail TD, so the balance of power in the county could easily be shifted if there was the 2 byelections

Biggins

So that will be four seats now that will go unfilled. Great democracy in action!

Raiser

He probably needs the extra time to convert the Cup-holder in his Car to take a Beer Glass.......

Slydice

RTE mention a letter he sent to Cowen in their article about it.

In an email, the Donegal North East TD referred to a letter he wrote to Taoiseach Brian Cowen last week - to which he said he had received no reply.

The letter is here:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1102/mcdaid.pdf

I am a citizen first and a member of Fianna Fail second.
At this point, I believe that it is in the best interests of the people of Ireland that the
Government of Ireland has a working majority in the Dáil of at least 20 seats, even if
that Government is compromised of parties who have traditionally stood
in opposition to Fianna Fail.

jimmycrackcorm

Akrasia wrote: »

McDaid should have stayed and done his job. If he is opposed to the budget, he should vote against it. He is paid to represent the people, he is not paid to be loyal to Fianna Fail.

By him resigning now, he is leaving another empty seat, he is allowing the government the possibility of sneaking through, not just a budget for 1 year, but possibly for the next 4 years. If this budget goes through and they can somehow make it binding for 4 years, then an election in 2011 (or whenever the bi-election is called) will be too late.

But perhaps we do need those tough budgets instead of the toothless proposals from labour. Any way Mc Daid is a great doctor so his patients will benefit greatly by this decision

whatawaster

To be fair that letter raises some excellent points - points that i'd imagine many members of Fianna Fail would privately agree with, but will not speak out against:

- second highest minimum wage in Europe and 14% unemployment is a crazy situation
- why should we have to abandon infrastructural projects and reduce frontline services just to maintain high levels of Public pay.

Akrasia

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

But perhaps we do need those tough budgets instead of the toothless proposals from labour. Any way Mc Daid is a great doctor so his patients will benefit greatly by this decision

a budget, particularly for 4 years, needs a mandate from the people.

Sierra Oscar

Its actually good news for FF in terms of passing the budget, as he was almost certainly going to vote against it.

seamus

There was only a 20% chance he'd even bother to turn up though